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Clandestine Parts

Clandestine Parts was composed specifically for the CD “Currents” (Elektron EM 1002). The piece also formed the basis for the later and longer 12-channel work, specially commissioned by the Swedish National Concert Institute for the open-air pavilion Elektrofonen. The piece was composed in the electronic music studio at University of East Anglia and at EMS.

” Track 7 – “Clandestine parts” (2000) – is Paulina Sundin’s second solo piece. I don’t have any more superlatives left, but if I did I’d unload them here. A whole dump truck of honors would be appropriate. Paulina has me under a spell, I do believe… The ambiguous title relates back to childhood dreams of Paulina, and the vivid soundscapes could well transform into dreamscapes – but that is true of most events on this Elektron CD. Sonic Poetry is back – Paulina Sundin is its figurehead, its beautiful princess!”

[…] A performance Monday at the University of North Texas reproduced sounds that would be baffling, if not infuriating, to, say, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s audience. The site was the Merrill Ellis Intermedia Theater in the College of Music Building.
Recent electroacoustic compositions from Sweden were transmitted through an impressive 18-channel surround-sound system that only a well-to-do person would be able to set up in his home – and only after soundproofing the room to avoid complaints from neighbors. […]

Much of the music sounded like experiments from an electronic engineer’s lab. It’s possible that most of it came out of ordinary sounds transmuted into something else. A mockingbird’s tweet might become the groans of a dying triceratops. The ability to tinker with sounds has grown enormously in our time.

The most interesting, even strangely moving, pieces involved dimly recognizable sounds from the real world mixed with electronic sounds. Mr. Karlsson’s work was one of them – even if “The Lady Is a Tramp” was hard to find. Clandestine Parts by Paulina Sundin and Tracks by Anders Blomqvist were others.

It certainly was an ear-expanding experience.”

Program note

CLANDESTINE PARTS (by Paulina Sundin) is inspired by the dreams I remember from my childhood. At times, sleep was haunted by vivid nightmares, full of fear and technicolour dread. But ever so often, like a soft whisper drowning out the noise of chanting mob, I was relieved by a purely joyful dream with a happy ending.